Cycling from Dijon to Mâcon

Self-guided trip: Starts any day from April through October 2018
7 nights/8 days
Daily mileage: From 27 km (18 miles) to 83 km (52 miles)
Trip starts from Dijon and ends in Mâcon
Dijon and Macon are easily accessed by train
Accommodation in 2- and 3-star properties and a guesthouse of charm (Option A) or in 3- and 4-star hotels (Option A+)
Level: 2/3 (Easy/Moderate)
From 1,095 euros per person sharing a double room

Cycling from Dijon to Mâcon — 7 nights/8 days

This popular bicycle tour puts your toast-giving skills to the test as you spend seven days touring Burgundy, one of France’s — and the entire planet’s — most celebrated wine-making regions. Beginning
in Dijon and ending in Mâcon, this tour allows you to experience France at its glass-clinking best. Pouilly-Fuissé, Aloxe-Corton, Montrachet and Meursault are just a few of the famous vineyards you’ll pass during this one-of-a-kind bicycle tour. Along the way you’ll visit tiny wine-making villages steeped in Old World charm. And at night you’ll lodge in some of the region’s prominent towns — Beaune, Cluny, Dijon — while enjoying Burgundy’s two greatest passions: food and wine.

On some of the days you’ll have options for shorter or longer routes, giving you the flexibility to pick and
choose rides that best suit your interests. This tour covers relatively easy terrain making it suitable for all
riders.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Dijon

You’ll lodge in the center of Dijon, the capital city of Burgundy, giving you out-the-door access to its many offerings. To maximize your stay in Dijon, we strongly encourage an early arrival (if possible). Architectural wonders abound: the Palace of Dijon and the Church of Notre-Dame of Dijon are both camera-worthy. Additionally, the Dijon Cathedral (a national monument of France) enjoys cannot-miss status. This Gothic wonder, with its two entrance towers, dominates the Dijon skyline. Just as impressive are Dijon’s many taste temptations. And yes, the city does take its title as the “Mustard Capital of the World” seriously. The Musée Amora (Mustard Museum), which doubles as a working mustard factory, gives visitors a firsthand look at the mustard-making process.

The riding portion of your bicycle tour begins in grand style, following the “Route des Grand Crus.” This magical route gives you access to some of the planet’s most applauded vineyards. Along the way you’ll stop for lunch in Nuits-Saint-Georges, a classic Old World village made famous by its red grapes. From here you’ll pedal into Côte de Nuits, perhaps Burgundy’s most celebrated wine region, riding all the way to Aloxe-Corton, the northernmost village of the Côte de Beaune wine area. About one-third of Aloxe-Corton’s vineyards enjoy Premier Cru status, so get ready to clink some glasses! Eventually you’ll arrive in Beaune — Burgundy’s wine capital. You’ll spend two nights here, giving you plenty of time to tour the village and sample a glass or seven of its wines.

You can take the day off from riding and spend it strolling about Beaune if you wish, visiting its many historic and wine-related attractions. The Hospices de Beaune, built in 1443, warrants a visit for its unique architecture and colorful roof. Hone your condiment knowledge with a visit to Moutarderie Fallot, home to one of Burgundy’s most noted artisan mustard producers since 1840.

If you want to ride but not push yourself, today’s 37-kilometer pedal is the perfect choice. It takes you to the village of Saint-Romain and back. If your legs feel up to it, pedal an additional three kilometers to Chateau de la Rochepot. This restored 13th century castle, which is open to visitors, has a fairytale quality to its façade and includes a working drawbridge. Or if you’re feeling excessively ambitious, take the 70-kilometer ride to Chateauneufen-Auxois. This scenic hilltop village will reward your efforts with numerous wine-tasting opportunities.

White wine aficionados should prepare their palates for a ride through the Côte de Beaune area, famous for its chardonnays. Along the way you’ll visit the villages of Puligny-Montrachet — home to the world famous Montrachet vineyard — and Meursault, another village noted for its chardonnay and as one of the settings for one of France’s all-time box office films, “La Grande Vadrouille.” Restaurant and café options abound in both villages, giving you ample opportunities to decide which white wines pair best with energy bars. Or, better yet, grab a baguette, some artisanal cheese, and a bottle or two of wine and enjoy an impromptu roadside picnic. At night you’ll lodge in either Chassey-le-Camp or Rully, two neighboring wine villages no more than 4 kilometers apart.

Today you’ll pedal south through a pastoral setting of farms, forests and vineyards. Along the way, you’ll wheel through Buxy, yet another of Burgundy’s impossibly quaint wine villages that will make you want to quit your job and begin a new, quiet life in the French countryside growing grapes. Buxy makes for a perfect place to have lunch and recharge your legs for the ride into Cluny. This scenic town, perched along the banks of the Grosne River, reigned as the center of Christianity during the 10th and 11th centuries. The town’s influence could be measured by the size of the Cluny Abbey, which until St. Peter’s Basilica was built in the 17th century, housed the world’s largest church. Though badly damaged during the French Revolution, remnants of the Abbey are open to visitors. If time allows, take a tour of nearby Berzé-le-Châtel. This hulking castle’s hillside perch affords five-star, camera-worthy views of the surrounding countryside.

Though today’s ride is short in length, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to work off any over-indulgences at the food table with a visit to the Rock of Solutré. This knuckle of limestone, which hovers over the surrounding vineyards, gained worldwide attention during the 1980s when French President Francois Mitterrand made yearly climbs to Solutré’s summit. The 35-minute hike rewards you with panoramic views. If the day is clear you can see Mont-Blanc, the highest mountain of the French Alps, glimmering on the eastern horizon. From Solutré you’ll pedal through a chain of tiny villages nestled among the vineyards famous for producing Pouilly-Fuissé wines. At night you’ll lodge in Crêches (option A+), just a wine cork’s throw from Mâcon, or in Mâcon itself (option A). Perched along the banks of the Saône River, Mâcon, with its many-colored buildings reflecting off the water, looks like the permanent muse for impressionist painters. Along its streets you’ll find plenty of restaurants and cafes for one last evening of wine tasting.

Choose between a short or long ride today. Both routes will take you through France’s famous Beaujolais region, wheeling through the tiny, wine-producing villages of Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Fleurie, and Morgon. Each village provides an out-of-this-world setting for sampling the region’s famous vintages. Today’s ride, regardless of route, makes for the perfect ending for your tour.

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast, depart at the time of your choice.

Booking & Pricing

From 1,095 euros per person sharing a double room

Two options are available for this trip:

Option A: 3 nights in 3-star properties, 2 nights in 2-star properties and 2 nights in an authentic guesthouse of character

1,095 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 360 euros

1,120 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 370 euros

1,160 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 390 euros

1,455 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 510 euros

1,480 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 530 euros

1,535 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 570 euros

These prices include:

7 nights' accommodation as described above

Daily breakfast

2 dinners (drinks are not included)

Luggage transfers

Marked maps and/or cue sheets and route notes

Pre-loaded GPS unit (subject to avalability)

Tourist information

Assistance if necessary (you will be provided with our local rep’s mobile number)

All tax and service charges

These prices do not include:

Expenses of a personal nature

Travel insurance

Bicycle rentals. Hybrid bikes are available at the rate of 115 euros per bike. Full-carbon racing bikes are
available at the rate of 230 euros. These prices include the 20-euro drop-off fee for the bike’s return
to Dijon.

For further information or reservations:
Please book online or contact us at your earliest convenience as this trip is subject to hotel availability.
Our e-mail address: info@cyclomundo.com